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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, I 



Chap El4o.L.. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. % 



STATEMENT 



Rt' MORRIS COPELAND, 



^00t. ^tjjntant=@eneral antj fHajor of Holunteerg, 



DISCHARGED FROM SERVICE 
August 6, 1862. 



BOSTON: ©^ 



PRINTED BY PRENTISS AND DELAND, 

40, Congress Steeet. 

1864. 



XL. G 



STATEMENT. 



Haa^ing suffered a grievous injustice Avhich covers rne with 
suspicion, and, in the judgment of many, with deep disgrace, I 
have eagerly hoped that some tardy justice would come to me ; 
or at least that some opportunity would be vouchsafed by 
the executive officers of our Government to meet such accusa- 
tions as may have been lodged against me, in order to confess 
their truth, or to triumphantly refute them. 

In a war like ours, many persons must suffer ; and, if it is for 
the general good, the sufferers must be content : but it is hard to 
understand how the general good can be advanced by driving 
an able, healthy, and willing officer from a post of honor and 
danger into absolute retirement. 

I have waited patiently and i«^),atiently for some statement of 
the charges against me, and have wearied every official to whom 
I have access by my urgent entreaties for his aid to induce the 
Government to listen to me. 

The Governor and a Senator of Massachusetts, and many of 
the most esteemed citizens, have in vain repeatedly requested 
the President, and Secretary of War, to permit me to know ex- 
plicitly and officially for what I was discharged the service. 

Too much occupied to attend to all the cases of apparent 
injustice which might occur, the Government created a commis- 
sion of officers of high rank to examine the cases of those who 
deem themselves aggrieved. I have humbly and earnestly 



asked permission to have my case reviewed by that commission. 
This, too, is denied. The Government turns a deaf ear to every 
entreaty ; and the commission confess that they have no power 
to examine my case, unless it is specially sent to them by the 
War Department : and thus I am now more than a year out of 
the service, without any definite knowledge of the charges 
against me. I have never been examined, or had an opportu- 
nity to say whether the charges which have been preferred 
against me are true or false. 

Having been accused of the gravest fault, which, as stated in 
the words of my discharge, may mean treachery, cowardice, or 
theft, is it strange that I should exhaust every effort to know 
what is my accusation, and, if possible, to restore my reputa- 
tion ? My friends and family deserve that I should make every 
effort. 

I have done so, and failed ; and my only resort now is to tell 
my history as briefly as I can to those who care enough for me 
or for justice to listen, hoping that I may satisfy those who read 
this account that I have done my utmost to maintain and forward 
the Right ; and that, if I have erred, it has never been in any 
manner which should subject me to the charge of having " vio- 
lated an important trust." 

When I recall the circumstances of my military life, which 
had been prosperous and honorable and commended up to the 
day my dismissal was published, and yet find myself, after a 
year, still waiting to know why I have been dismissed the ser- 
vice, it seems as if it must be an ugly dream. 

The President, and Secretary of War, have each indirectly 
denied that the causes alleged by the other are the real reasons 
of my discharge, and both have referred me to Gen. Banks as 
the person who brought the charges against me, and therefore 
the proper person to tell me what they are ; to which 
Gen. Banks replies, that he has never made any chai'ges 
against me. 

In such confusion, when those who have dismissed me, and 
who hold supreme power, seem specially pledged to withhold 



redress, it is useless to hope for any other justification than that 
which may be found in my mihtary life, the circumstances of 
which I will narrate as briefly as I can ; and, as I have to 
prove a case where I am ignorant of the charges, I must be 
excused if I introduce some letters and facts which are not per- 
tinent to my discharge alone, but which serve to establish the 
character which I held amongst my companions, equals and 
superiors, as a man of honor and ability. 

Immediately following the call of the President for seventy- 
five thousand volunteers, the Secretary of War authorized the 
raising in Massachusetts of certain regiments for three years or 
the war. 

The Second Massachusetts Regiment was raised under that 
permission, and was the first of the three-years' regiments or- 
ganized in the country. On the 22d of April, I was appointed 
quarter-master of the regiment, and did my utmost to make my 
department worthy of the regiment ; remaining with it through 
Patterson's campaign, and until Aug. 8, 1861, when I was ap- 
painted aide-de-camp to Major-Gen. Banks. 

On accepting my resignation as quarter-master, Col. Gordon 
wrote me the following letter : — 

Maryland Heights, Camp Second Mass. Regt., 
Opposite Harper's Ferry, Aug. 8, 1861. 

Dear Sir, — I have received your letter enclosing the transmission of 
your resignation as quarter-master of this regiment, to take a higher rank 
upon the staff of Major-Gen. Banks, commanding corps at this station. 

I have neither right or desire to stand in the way of your promotion ; and 
in accepting, so far as my authority goes, your resignation, I wish to bear 
this testimony to your entire faithfulness in the position of regimental quar- 
ter-master; to express my satisfaction perfect and entire with you in the 
discharge of your daily duties, and my regret that you cannot find your inter- 
ests so well furthered with us as elsewhere. 

I shall take immediate steps to fill your place ; and, in bidding you God 
speed wherever you go, remain truly your friend, 

Geo. H. Gordon, Col. Second Mass. Regt. 

On the 15th August, the following general order was issued 
from headquarters : — 



GENERAL ORDER, No. 40. 

First Lieut. J. L. Kirby Smith, Topographical Engineers ; first Lieut. R. M. 
Copeland, Second Mass. Regt. ; and second Lieut. O. G. Babcock, Corps of 
Engineers, — are hereby appointed aides-de-camp to the Major-General 
commanding. 

They will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

By order of Major-Gen. Banks. 
E.OBT. Williams, Assistant Adjutant- General. 

I remained with Major-Gen. Banks as aide-de-camp, and 
doing no especial duty, until, Lieuts, Smith and Babcock hav- 
ing been relieved, and Capt. Williams promoted, I was the 
only officer left on Gen. Banks's staff not in the quarter-master, 
commissary, or medical departments. By necessity of position, 
I became acting assistant adjutant-general, and did also the duty 
of aide-de-camp, until the 27th of November ; when I was regu- 
larly appointed assistant adjutant-general, with the rank of 
major, by the President. 

During this interval, the army was stationed along the Poto- 
mac Piver, from Hancock to Great Palls, in Maryland, and 
partook of the disastrous affair at Edward's and Conrad's Ferries 
on the 22d of October. 

"Whilst the army was stationed at Frederick, Md., in the win- 
ter of 1861, I was invited by Brigadier-Gen. Cooper to take 
command of a new Maryland regiment which he was empow- 
ered to raise. I agreed to do so upon the condition that I 
might select all the officers ; to which the following extract from 
a letter of Brigadier-Gen. Cooper, of Feb. 12, 1862, is an an- 
swer : — 

" But what I intended to propose was, that when the Fifth Regiment is 
organized, which will be shortly commenced, I will give you such aid as I can 
in officering it to your liking, and by such men as you may indicate. It would 
be well, however, that a part of the field-officers should be Marylanders, and 
also a fair proportion of the company-officers." 

I afterwards declined this regiment, from a necessity having 
arisen for taking a field-officer who would have been incom- 
petent. 



In February, the army moved into Virginia, and followed 
Gen. Jackson up the Valley of the Shenandoah. Dm-ing the 
campaign, I was a participant in foui* skirmishes, and in the se- 
vere battle of Winchester, when Jackson retm-ned to attack the 
force commanded by Brigadier-Gen. Shields; and was compli- 
mented, with other officers of Gen. Banks's staff, by Gen. Shields, 
in the following letter : — 

Woodstock, Va., April 16, 1862. 
To Major R. Morris Copeland, A.A.G., Depart. Shenandoah. 

Sir, — In a number of the " Herald," whose exact date I now forget, I read 
the other daj' what purports to be my official report, which contains some 
material errors, or rather omits some important particulars. 

The printed report in the " Herald " purports to be addressed to Gen. 
Banks ; when it was addressed to you oificially, as assistant adjutant- 
general. 

In speaking of Gen. Banks's staff, the published report goes on to say 
" that the officers of his (Banks's) staff having remained behind, intending to 
leave for Centreville in the afternoon ; " but omitted the following, which will 
be found in the official report : — 

" These officers afterwards participated in the battle ; and my whole com- 
mand, as well as myself, are highly indebted to them for valuable services." 

The tribute which was so justly earned the " Herald " omits. The omission 
is something which I deeply regret. I knew nothing of its publication until 
I accidentally fell upon a number of the paper the other day, or I would 
have corrected it at once. 

Respectfully, your obedt. servt., 
(Signed) Jas. Shields, 

Brigadier- General, Commanding Division Department Shenandoah. 

Early in April, the First Regiment of Vermont Cavalry, under 
command of Col. J. P. Holliday, was ordered to join Gen. 
Banks. On its march, the colonel committed suicide. 

At the request of some of the officers, who addressed a letter 
to Gov. Holbrook, requesting that I might be appointed to the 
command of the regiment, I applied to the Governor for the 
appointment, enclosing letters of recommendation from Gens. 
Banks, Shields, Williams, and others, which will be found in the 
subjoined Appendix, A. 

Capt. Tompkins, of the cavalry of the regular army, was 
finally appointed to the First Vermont Cavalry ; the Governor 



8 



hoping that an officer whose special education had been in that 
arm would be peculiarly competent to make the regiment a 
success. 

I regretted my disappointment, whilst I could not but com- 
mend the selection of Capt. Tompkins ; and turned my inquiries 
into other directions : for I was fully determined to exchange 
the wearisome, routine duties of the office for field- service. 

At the outbreak of the war, I had been fully convinced that 
the best hope of success lay in enlisting the black Americans in 
our armies, and frequently advocated it. Besides their value as 
soldiers, the history of past times seemed to teach, that men in 
no way are better fitted for freedom than by fighting for it ; and 
I believed that the slaves, organized under the command of 
white officers whom they could respect, would become a people 
whom we could gladly call Americans. 

My army experience confirmed previous theories ; and I often 
discussed the probability of inducing the Government to allow 
me to raise some colored troops. On the 7th of May, I finally 
decided to write to the Secretary of War, asking his permission 
to raise a colored regiment. 

Headquarters Department Shenandoah, 
New Market, Va., May 7, 1862. 
To Hon. E. M. Stanton, Sec. of War. 

Sir, — There is a rumor that Gen. Hunter, through Gen. Saxton, is to 
arm a considerable number of negroes, and form them into regiments. If 
this is to be done, allow me to ask permission of the Government to raise a 
regiment of colored men at such places in the United States as may be best 
adapted to that purpose. I will undertake to have a regiment of first-rate 
material ready for service in three weeks after permission is granted me. 
I have the honor to be yours very respectfully, 

R. Morris Copeland, 

A. A. O., and Major of Vols. 

I received no answer to my application ; and, after waiting 
a suitable time, I pro]30sed to some of my friends to join with 
me in a personal application at Washington. The following- 
named officers consented to join — Capt. James Savage, Second 
Massachusetts Volunteers, to be lieutenant-colonel ; and Lieut. 



9 



Robert G. Shaw, Second Massachusetts Volunteers, to be major 
— in the regiment, if I could get the needed authority. 

I proposed the plan to Gen. Banks, who, with characteristic 
caution, neither approved nor objected to it, but gave Lieut. 
Shaw and myself leave of absence to go to Washington to bring 
the matter personally before the Government. 

In addition to our leave of absence. Gen. Banks gave me a 
letter of introduction to Mr. Stanton, in which, without indors- 
ing or approving the plan, he commended me to him, and said 
that there was no officer of his acquaintance better fitted to suc- 
cessfully carry out the plan I had to propose than myself. 

As I am now approaching that portion of my narrative for 
which, if for any thing, I have incurred the displeasure of the 
Government, I must return a little, and recall the posture of 
afiairs in the Valley of the Shenandoah. 

On the 20th of March, Gen. Banks Avas ordered to send 
his troops to Manassas, and report in person at Washington ; 
and, obedient to the order, the 22d of March found Winches- 
ter garrisoned by about nine thousand men of all arms, under 
command of Gen. Shields. Gen. Banks had started for Wash- 
ington, leaving his staff to cross the country to Washington in 
the rear of the troops. 

Gen. Jackson had been informed of our movements ; and, 
believing Gen. Shields weaker than he was, attacked our 
forces, and Avas repulsed. On receiving news of the attack. 
Gen. Banks immediately returned to Winchester, recalled his 
troops, and set out in pursuit of Jackson, who slowly retreated 
up the valley, and finally made good his escape into the Blue 
Kidge, where he was re-enforced by Gen. Ewell and twelve 
thousand men. But, even now, we were in larger force than 
Jackson, and could alone have made a good attack upon him ; 
and, if successful, could have turned his flank, seized the rail- 
road and Gordonsville, and have pushed on for Richmond. 
This movement could have been rendered certain by the active 
co-operation of Gen. Fremont, whose advanced guard was Avith- 
in two days' march of Jackson's rear at Staunton ; and, once at 

2 



10 



Staunton, Jackson must have fallen back before our combined 
armies, or have been routed. 

Such a promising movement was appreciated by all parties, 
and plans arranged for carrying it into effect. The days for 
the movements of the different armies were arranged, and we 
felt sure that the ripe fruit was about to be gathered ; when a 
peremptory order was sent from Washington to Fremont to 
remain where he was, and to Banks to send Shields and ten 
thousand men to Fredericksburg, and to fall back with the 
remainder of his force — about six thousand men — to Stras- 
burg. 

Such a movement as this seemed suicidal. Once before, 
Jackson, with a small army, had seized a similar opportunity, 
and, though foiled at Winchester, was beaten only by disparity 
of troops, and the fact that his men M-ere worn out by long- 
marches ; but now we should have about six thousand men to 
oppose to fifteen thousand, who could take their time to attack 
us. 

We retreated to Strasburg, and took up a position which 
gave the enemy the possession of a mountain range which 
reached to headquarters, from which they could almost count 
our men. 

I urged Gen. Banks, before Shields left us, not to content 
himself with despatches to Washington, but to send some confi- 
dential and competent person thither, who might show the 
Government what would be likely to follow the execution of 
the orders received. 

Very reluctantly, Gen. Banks at last consented to send me ; 
and I had got some distance on my way to Washington, when I 
was recalled by a telegram ; the general having finally decided 
to obey the orders as they were, and let the Government be 
responsible for the consequences. 

Our position at Strasburg was peculiarly weak, our left being 
at Front Boyal, separated from the centre and right by the 
Peaked Mountain Range, which was in possession of the enemy ; 



11 



and it was obvious, that, unless strongly and quickly re-enforced, 
we were likely to be annihilated. 

It was at this juncture that Lieut. Shaw and myself set out 
for Washington. As soon as possible after arrival, I laid my 
plan before the Massachusetts delegation in Congress, who nearly 
all discouraged the plan, commending the idea, but deciding 
that nothing could be successfully done about it. 

I determined to carry it forward as far as possible, and sought 
an interview with Mr. Stanton, presenting Gen. Banks's letter 
of introduction. Before I could enter at all into details, he cut 
me short, saying that it was useless to waste time talking about 
any such plan ; for the President was in such a state of mind, 
that he could do nothing with him. He then asked me about 
Gen. Banks's position and prospects. I told him briefly how 
important it was that the general should be re-enforced, and 
showed him on the map the exceeding weakness of our position. 
Mr. Stanton appeared annoyed by my statement, and said that 
three generals (Banks, Fremont, M'Dowell) all thought Jack- 
son was in front of them, and all wanted troops ; and he did 
not believe Jackson was at all to be dreaded. There being 
nothing more to be said, I left him. 

The day before, I had seen many of Gen. Banks's friends, 
who were greatly puzzled at our movement, and could not 
understand why he, who was a week before victorious at Harri- 
sonburg, should now be seeking safety behind earthworks at 
Strasburg. Not wishing to compromise any one, I telegraphed 
to Gen. Banks that much speculation and inquiry was afloat, 
and asked instructions whether to communicate what I knew 
about the campaign and Gen. Fremont's intended participation, 
or not. In reply, I received the following telegram : — 

Strasbueg, Va., May 19, 1862. 
To Major R. Morris Copeland, Washington, D.C. 

Your despatch is received. Gen. Banks desires me to say that you can 
state what you know of despatches to Fremont, &c., to Gooch and friends. 

F. DE Haute viLLE, Capt., and A. D. C. 



12 



Authorized by this permission, I explained from time to time, 
to those who I thought had a right to know, the facts of our 
campaign ; and predicted immediate disaster, unless we were 
strongly re-enforced. After my interview with the Secretary of 
War, I telegraphed as follows : — 

Washington, D.C, May 21, 1862. 
To Major-Gen. Banks, Strasburp-, Va. 

The Secretary of War asked if you needed more troops. I represented 
case strongly. R. Morris Copeland, 

Major, and A. A. O. 

Later in the same day, I again telegraphed to him : — 

Washington, May 21, 1862; eleven, a.m. 
To Major- Gen. Banks, Strasburg, Va. 

Do you want any thing said about Cooper's brigade ? 

E.. MoRKis Copeland, Major, and A. A. 0. 

The Secretary had told me that there were no troops to send 
Gen. Banks ; whilst I knew that Gen. Cooper and about five 
thousand men were in garrison at Baltimore, eager to go into 
the field. In the afternoon, in reply, I received the following 

despatch : — 

Strasburg, Va., May 21, 1862 ; two, p.m. 
To Major R. Morris Copeland, 

Sanitary Rooms, Washington, D.C. 
Say to the Secretary of War, we greatly need increased forces. . . . 
Fremont telegraphs that Jackson has returned to the valley. This is con- 
firmed by information from different sources. Jackson is about eight miles 
from Harrisonburg ; Ewell still at Swift-run Gap. 

N. P. Banks, M. O. 0. 

I received this last despatch too late to go to the Secretary in 
office-hours ; and, the case being urgent, determined to try to 
see him at his house. To give more weight to my statements, 
I asked Mr. D. W. Gooch, representative from Massachusetts, 
to go with me. He consented ; but we found Mr. Stanton out. 
Later in the evening, I found him at Mr. Hooper's, representa- 
tive from Massachusetts, at dinner. 

At Mr. Hooper's request, Mr. Stanton saw me, and seemed 
much irritated that Gen. Banks should have telegraphed me 
instead of him ; and again repeated that there could be no dan- 
ger, and he could send no troops, as he had none to send. I 



13 



mentioned Gen. Cooper and his men at Baltimore. He an- 
swered, that Gen. Dix, at Baltimore, was a major-general in 
command of a department, and that he demanded to have 
troops. I objected, that, however much Gen. Dix might like to 
have troops, Gen. Banks must have them, or be ruined ; for 
that, if he were not re-enforced in three days, he would be 
driven out of the valley. This was Tuesday night. The next 
Sunday, Gen. Banks was in the most rapid flight. 

He at length consented to send Gen. Cooper's brigade. I 
asked him, should I go to Baltimore by the morning train, to 
give Gen. Cooper notice, and to ascertain the character of the 
force ? and he directed me to do so. 

Previous to seeing Mr. Stanton, I had sent the following tele- 
gram to Gen. Banks : — 

Washington, May 21, 1862; five, p.m. 
To Major-Gen. Banks, Strasburg, Va. 

Your despatch received too late to see any one to-day, though made 

effort. I will see some friends this evening. I urged the matter strongly 

this morning. R. Morris Copeland, 

Major, and A. A. O. 

After my interview with Mr. Stanton, I telegraphed again : — 

Washington, May 21, 1862; ten, p.m. 
To Major-Gen. Banks, Strasburg, Va. 

I have seen the Secretary at Mr. Hooper's. He seemed surprised that 

you were really in want of troops, and said there was not a man he could 

send ; but, at last, said that he would order to-morrow Cooper's brigade to 

join you. It is that or none. He seemed to be expecting to hear from 

you. E. Morris Copeland, 

Major, and A. A. O. 

Later, I telegraphed that I should leave for Baltimore by the 

morning train, where he could address me, if he desired, at 

the Eutaw House. On arrival at Baltimore the next morning, 

I found the following despatch awaiting me : — 

Strasbukg, Va., May 21, 1862; twelve, p.m 
To Major E. Morris Copeland, 

Eutaw House, Baltimore, Md. 
Your despatch received. Thanks for your promptness. Have sent de- 
spatch to Secretary of War. Col. Clarke leaves for Washington to-day. 
How soon can the troops arrive here7 

N. P. Banks, M. G. Commanding. 



14 

I replied as follows : — 

Baltimore, May 22, 1862. 
To Major-Gen. Banks, Strasburg, Va. 

I have just returned from a tour of Gen. Cooper's command. If you can 
get it intact, you will be -well satisfied. The One Hundred and Eleventh 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, nine hundred and fifty strong ; Eighty-second 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, same. Men rather young, well disciplined, or- 
derly. Camps neat, men respectful and earnest ; good quality of men. 
Third Maryland Volunteers, good. Three regiments condensed. Field- 
officers very good. Reynold's Battery, six guns ; very fine, and eager to go. 
Two squadrons of good cavalry. Total, three thousand eight hundred men, 
well armed and clad, with some field experience. You will like them. I 
have telegraphed to Gooch and Hooper to jog the memory of the Secretary. 
If you telegraph to him direct, it will aid. Gen. Dix opposed ; and will pre- 
vent the reduction of his command, if possible. 

R. Morris Copeland, A. A. 0. 

Having previously received a fifteen-days' leave of absence to 
enable me to go to Massachusetts, I left Baltimore for Boston 
on the evening of the 22d, and arrived in Boston Friday after- 
noon. 

I have been thus minute in detailing the correspondence be- 
tween myself and Gen. Banks, to make plain the duty I per- 
formed whilst in Washington, and the authority under which I 
acted, and in order that the reader may decide how far I tran- 
scended the authority I received, and how far, from time to 
time, I can be accused of having " violated an important trust 
confided in me by the commander of the Department of the 
Shenandoah." 

It will be remembered, that, on Tuesday night, I predicted to 
the Secretary of War, that, unless Gen. Banks were re-enforced 
within three days, he would be driven out of the valley. Satur- 
day night, news came that Kenly was attacked at Front Royal ; 
and, on Sunday, news was received in Boston by telegraph, and 
was pubhshed in the morning papers of Monday, that Banks 
had been attacked by Jackson in force, Kenly captured with his 
command at Front Royal, and that Banks was in rapid retreat 
on Winchester. 



15 



Thus my worst apprehensions were realized. Knowing so 
intimately the condition and position of our command, I was 
deeply grieved and excited. Early Monday morning, I went 
to the house of his Excellency Gov. Andrew to get the latest 
news. He showed me a large number of the most alarming 
telegrams received from Washington, representing the matter 
quite as bad as it really was. In the course of our interview, 
he expressed his solicitude lest the over-taxed militia of Massa- 
chusetts might respond tardily to the call for immediate volun- 
teers ; and asked me if I could not write some appeal to the 
people of Massachusetts, which would arouse them to their 
utmost efforts. 

Eager only to forward the war, and hasten support to our 
shattered army, I sat down there, and wrote the following ap- 
peal to the people of Massachusetts, which was sent at once to 
the daily evening press ; and before I could revise, examine, or 
recall it, was spread over New England, and copied the next 
day into most of the Northern newspapers : — 

AN APPEAL TO MASSACHUSETTS. 

Boston, Mass, May 26, 1862. 
To the Men of Massachusetts : — 

Have you heard the news ? Have you heard that a Massachusetts gene- 
ral, and the sons of Massachusetts, the brave Second Regiment, have been 
driven out of Virginia by an enemy that only ten days ago was nearly pros- 
trate before us ? 

You have dreamed that this war was drawing speedily to a close ; that we 
were conquering and possessing this country. You have seen the enemy 
falling back before us at all points. For three months. Gen. Banks has been 
working, at every disadvantage, to reclaim to us the lovely Valley of Vir- 
ginia ; to strengthen those who are for us, and to subdue and govern our 
enemies. Three weeks ago to-day, he was, with sixteen thousand men, at 
Harrisonburg, a hundred miles from his present position, holding twenty 
thousand of the enemy at bay, ready in one day more to move suddenly on 
their flank, and crush them. Fremont was ready to occupy Staunton, 
whence fifty thousand men would have rushed victorious upon Richmond. 
The day for the movement to commence our death-knell was sounded. Ten 
thousand men were ordered from him for Gen. M'Dowell to protect "Wash- 
ington ; and Banks, with six thousand, sent back fifty miles to Strasburg, — 
a little handful of men to face twenty thousand. Slowly we fell back, and 



16 



most reluctantly, disputing the road with the enemy, conscious of the great 
emergency, but ready to die to protect the people who had learned to trust 
in us ; with the enormous duty of protecting a railroad seventy miles long 
between Strasburg and Manassas, and the great Baltimore and Ohio Rail- 
road. 

Cumbered with the sick and baggage of the ten thousand ordered away ; 
with a train of wagons seven miles long, which had been necessary for us, 
who were on no lines of railroad, or no navigable rivers, to furnish our sup- 
plies, — we have slowly yielded to the force of circumstances. I was sent to 
Washington and Baltimore to ask for aid, meagrely and tardily granted, 
because our troops are nearly all in the field ; and this morning we have the 
sad knowledge, that this three months of labor, of the extent of which you 
cannot conceive, is undone ; that, humiliated, sorrowful, but courageous and 
earnest still, we have been compelled to return to Maryland, to leave trai- 
torous men and stony-hearted women exultant over the sad sight. They 
have seen, as they hoped, the backs of the Yankees. 

Do you wonder, that, under all these disadvantages, Major-Gen. Banks, 
with his handful of six thousand men, has had to retreat before twenty-five 
thousand of the enemy ? 

Is it strange that he is driven back ? What could have been expected ? 
Thank God, the disaster is no worse ! Thank God that your Second Regi- 
ment is still left to fight for the flag ! But, for God's sake, realize the posi- 
tion. When our army marches victorious through an enemy's country, they 
go like Christian warriors, seeking to relieve the wounded enemies they 
meet, to restore confidence to the trembling women and children in the 
towns and hamlets and scattered farm-houses, rebuilding bridges, and restor- 
ing to the people the comforts and security of civilized life. 

The enemy follow our trail like hell-hounds. At Ball's Blufi", they shot 
prisoners in cold blood. At Bull Run, they cut the heads off dead men, — 
here shooting from behind fences, bayoneting the sick and wounded by the 
wavside, and making it their boast that they have killed a Yankee. An 
unscrupulous enemy, that will lose no opportunity for treachery and outrage. 

They will cross the Potomac River, exultant, and reckless of all conse- 
quences : for their cause is deperate ; and, knowing that they must ultimately 
fail, they burn to wreak on our friends the outrages they have so falsely and 
inhumanly attributed to us. 

Men of Massachusetts ! forget your trades and business, which will be of 
no value if this enemy is not destroyed. The hands that hold the pen, the 
ruler, and the hammer, were made in these days for better things. Seize 
the musket and sabre, and respond to the cry of the wounded and dying who 
are in the enemy's bloody hands. 

Come to rescue Gen. Banks and the Second Massachusetts Regiment, — 
one of the noblest and most earnest you have sent out. 



17 



I speak to you with fervor, because I have been in the enemy's country 
nearly a year. I have helped to subdue and to relieve. I know the fiend- 
ishness of our foe. I have seen how noble have been your efforts, and how 
eagerly you have responded to the former calls for troops. Once more, let 
me urge you to rally quickly for the honor of the State, for the lives of those 
you love. A blow struck quickly and surely now will retrieve all loss. 
Every man who goes at once is better than two when the necessity is past. 
Let me carry back to the suffering troops the assurance that you are coming 
in your might. R. Morris Copeland, 

Assf. Adj.-Gen. to Major-Oen. Banks. 

When I read my appeal in print, I saw that I had made a 
mistake ; for, whilst it could not be called any violation of the 
Army Regulations, it was likely to irritate the Secretary of War, 
who, having taken upon himself the responsibility of all move- 
ments, was, of coiu'se, held accountable for their success or 
failure. I also feared that it would annoy Gen. Banks, who 
had studiously avoided every thing which looked like a com- 
plaint against the Government, — even to the extent of obey- 
ing the orders, without suitable remonstrance, which had caused 
these disasters. But it did not then, nor does it now, seem to 
me that I could be said to censure my superior officers, any 
more than that any person who simply narrates historical facts 
can be said to censure those whose actions make history. My 
apprehensions proved too true in the case of both Banks and 
Stanton. 

Although in no wise responsible for what I had done. Gen, 
Banks feared that my letter might involve him with the Admi- 
nistration, and interrupt the friendly relations then existing ; 
and accordingly sent me the following despatch : — 

WiLLiAMSBUKG, Md., June 2, 1862. 
To' Mr. C. F. Dunbar, Boston, Mass. 

Major Copeland should secure some position in the Massachusetts regi- 
ments of equal rank to that he now holds. It is not consistent that he 
should return to his post here after his proclamation at Boston. Please, 
convey to him this information. N. P. Banks, M. O. 0. 

This telegram was not received until after I had left for camp, 
and was forwarded to me there ; but, by some delay of the mails, 
it did not arrive for two weeks. 

3 



18 



Immediately on arrival at headquarters, I reported my actions 
to Gen. Banks, explaining my motives and the circumstances ; 
and expressed my regret if I had acted in any way to com- 
promise him. I told him that I had been thanked by many 
of his personal friends, who believed that my letter had been of 
great service to him, as it served to remove the blame for his 
disaster from him, where the public would naturally place it, 
to the Government, where it belonged. 

The general appreciated the service, but, not wishing to 
share its responsibility, told me that he thought, under the 
circumstances, I had best seek a transfer to some other com- 
mand. 

I replied, that I had long wanted to change into some more 
active service, and only regretted that my efforts to do him and 
the country a service should be the immediate cause for 
renewed efforts to find some other field of duty. 

At the time of this interview, I did not know that the gene- 
ral had said any thing about my letter to others ; but I soon 
learned, that, when he read it, he pointed out the passage in 
which I said I had been sent for troops to several officers, and 
denied thai he had given me any authority. 

A reference to the telegrams I have recited above will show, 
in the passages marked in Italics, what are the facts. 

I shoAved these telegrams to the officers to whom Gen. Banks 
had denied my authority, and left them to draw their own con- 
clusions. 

Under these circumstances, my position grew daily more 
disagreeable ; and I lost no opportunity which promised me an 
agreeable change. I applied by letter to the War Department, 
asking to be transferred to the Department of the South ; and, 
at the same time, to Gov. Andrew, for service in the Massachu- 
setts quota. 

Hearing nothing from Washington, and fearing that there 
might be prejudice against me at the War Department, I re- 
quested Major D. D. Perkins, chief of staff to Gen. Banks, 
who was about going to Washington on business, to apply per- 



19 



sonally for my exchange, and to press the matter so far as he 
could. After Major Perkins's return, on June the 20th, he 
told me very unwillingly the result of his interview in my behalf. 
He applied to the Secretary of War in the presence of several 
officers. On mention of my name and desire, Mr. Stanton 
denounced me with great severity ; expressed his extreme sur- 
prise that Gen. Banks should retain so mischievous a person on 
his staff; and declared, that, unless Gen. Banks should remove 
me, he would discharge me from the service ; and, turning to 
an officer of the Adjutant General's Department then present, 
directed him to then make out my discharge from the service of 
the United States. 

Major Perkins represented to Mr. Stanton that it would be 
an injustice to Gen. Banks to thus summarily deprive him of a 
staff-officer, who must of necessity be important to the com- 
manding-general ; and suggested withholding my dismissal until 
I could be regularly relieved. For this or other reasons, Mr. 
Stanton changed his order ; significantly remarking, that, if I 
came into his hands, I should have cause to remember him all 
my life. 

Although I was prepared for misjudgment by Mr. Stanton, I 
was surprised that he should be so very angry with me ; and it 
was not until I was afterwards told by Hon. Charles Sumner 
that Mr. Stanton had been assured that I wrote, or caused to be 
written, two severe editorial attacks upon him in the Boston 
daily papers, which appeared soon after my appeal, that I could 
account for his desire for personal revenge. 

Unwilling to give up at this rebuff, I requested Gen. Banks, 
who went to Washington about June 15, to renew my appli- 
cation ; which he promised to do. Gen. Banks returned about 
the 18th, and was in camp several days before I had an oppor- 
tunity to ask the success of his effort. He told me that he had 
been unsuccessful, and that my only hope of change was a 
regimental commission. I asked him to tell me what the 
secretary said. He declined to do so, on the score of hurting 
my feelings ; and, though urged, would say nothing more than 



20 



that the secretary told him that I deserved the severest pun- 
ishment in his power to inflict, and that I need make no farther 
apphcation for favors. 

On or about the 2Tth June, the Department of the Shenan- 
doah having been previously merged in the Department of Vir- 
ginia, Gen. Banks went to Washington to meet Gen. Pope ; and 
I again asked him to try to pacify Mr. Stanton, and to assure 
him that I had been in some way misrepresented to him, and to 
once more urge him to assign me to Gen. Hunter. 

Durina: this interval, I had made an unsuccessful effort 
to obtain the command of a Maryland regiment of cavalry, 
as will appear in the letter in Appendix B ; but the regular 
army again was my stumbling-block. Gov. Bradford deciding 
to give the command of the regiment to an officer of that ser- 
vice. 

On the 2d of July, Gen. Banks telegraphed to me : — 

To Major Copeland. 

There is nothing to communicate upon affairs South. Have received your 
despatches. The secretary will assign you to Gen. Hunter. Put our force 
into condition to move as soon as possible. Will send you word when I 
return; think, to-morrow. N. P. Banks, M.G.C. 

I could not tell what arguments the general had used with 
Mr. Stanton, but was willing to believe that all was right ; though 
the circumstances which have transpired since induce the belief 
that Mr. Stanton's apparent consent was only part of a plan 
which should remove from Gen. Banks the necessity of a per- 
sonal action in the matter. 

If, at that time, any such charge had been made against me 
as has since been made the cause of my removal, I could have 
demanded the proof upon the spot, and claimed an inquiry or 
court-martial ; but, by leaving me unsuspicious until on my road 
to a new and strange command, I could be cut down, with no 
chance to defend myself. 

It was during these last days of June, when Gen. Banks was 
in Washington, that Gen. M'Clellan was changing from the 



21 



Chickahominy to the James River : and all thoughtful persons 
were full of anxiety for the fate of his army, which seemed to 
be the fate of the country. 

On the 5th of July, Gen. Banks returned from Washington 
to camp, arriving about one, a.m. At breakfast, he told the 
assembled mess (some eight officers, with their servants attend- 
ing upon them) of the disastrous rumors which were afloat in 
Washington as to M'Clellan's movements, and the danger there 
was of the capture of his whole command. He said further, 
that the President was believed to be much alarmed, and un- 
certain what to do ; and that the feeling generally prevailed in 
Washington, that some one military chief should be placed in 
charge of the War Department and the armies in the field, 
thereby increasing the confidence of the army in the War De- 
partment, which would restore greater enthusiasm and efficiency 
in the entire service. 

During my visit at the North, I had heard this idea fre- 
quently discussed, and I knew that a large party in the country 
were becoming apathetic, because they deemed the cause nearly 
ruined by the mismanagement and cross-purposes that prevailed 
between the War Department and the armies. 

I had hoped, with many others, that some man could be 
appointed general-in- chief, who would not only harmonize the 
War Department and armies, but who would recognize how 
valuable an accession to our cause would be found in an army of 
colored men. The regular-army officers and too many of the 
volunteers sneered at the idea of a negro's making a good sol- 
dier ; but I believed he would, and, when in Boston, had tried 
to persuade, amongst others, my brother-in-law, Mr. C. F. 
Dunbar, to advocate in his paper (the Boston Advertiser) 
the adoption of a policy by our Government which would 
call the negroes to our aid, and the appointment of some man 
as general-in-chief who would carry out such ideas. 

Gen. M'Clellan's extreme insecurity of position, and the 
obvious necessity of a fresh and thorough effort on the part of 
the North to raise men, re-awakened my hope that the conserva- 



22 



tive party and such papers as the Boston Advertiser would 
at last urge that policy which has since proved so bene- 
ficial. 

Gen. Banks's breakfast-talk stimulated anew my earnest de- 
sire to arouse men from their lethargy ; and I determined to 
make one more effort with Mr. Dunbar to use his position and 
the influence of the paper to forward measures which seemed, 
in the nature of things, sva-e of success. The crisis in our 
affairs was so imminent, that I hoped the Government would at 
last abandon the conservatism which seemed to be strangling our 
cause, and advocate true progress. For these reasons, I decided 
to telegraph to Mr. Dunbar, as briefly as I could, a synopsis of 
the position, and what I believed would be our safety, sure that 
such a telegram would recall our previous conversations. During 
the morning I wrote a telegram, which I shall give below. 
After writing the despatch, I did not send it, as it occurred to 
me that Gen. Banks would not wish the influence of his remarks 
on my mind to be conveyed to others. 

Diu-ing the morning, however, the brekkfast-talk was much 
discussed in camp, and generally told to officers who chanced to 
come to headquarters on various errands ; and at dinner. Gen. 
Banks being present, the breakfast-conversation was repeated i?i 
extenso ; and, as there were several strange officers invited to 
dinner, I could no longer consider any thing which had been 
said as specially confidential, or of a character which I should 
refrain from communicating by letter or otherwise to discreet 
friends. 

Communication by mail was notoriously tardy and uncertain, 
and the need for action immediate ; and I again prepared my 
telegram : but, in order to conceal its pui-port from the hasty 
inspection of telegraph-operators, I enveloped it in a simple 
cipher of my own invention, arranged for the occasion, not 
very difficult to be interpreted upon careful study by one who 
would give time and patience to the task. I cannot give 
the exact words of the despatch, as I have no copy, and I have 
never been permitted to see the interpretation which it received 



23 



in the War Office ; but, as nearly as I could recall it within a 
few weeks of the time it was written, it was as follows : — 

" Gen. Banks returned, M'Clellan defeated, and liable to be captured. 
The President alarmed, and uncertain what to do. Urge that a strong man 
be placed at the head of affairs, and troops be sent rapidly forward from the 
West." 

My desire to induce Mr. Dunbar to advocate in his paper the 
ideas in which I deemed our safety lay was the only cause of 
my sending the despatch ; and, as I placed entire confidence in 
his discretion, I did not for a moment consider that I was doing 
any thing improper ; and I am unable still to see that I in any 
way either violated a confidence or any rules of military pro- 
priety. I was certainly at liberty to repeat the contents of the 
telegram to any friend, or to write it by letter : how, then, can 
sending it by telegraph become unpardonable ? 

The whole matter passed from my mind, and never recurred 
to me until after my return to Boston later in July, when, in 
conversation with Mr. Dunbar, I remembered it, and asked 
him why he never mientioned in his letters that he received it. 
He said, because he never did receive it. It seemed rather 
strange that he had not received it : but I gave no farther thought 
to it ; and even after I saAV my discharge, and until the Presi- 
dent, in my interview with him, mentioned the despatch as 
intercepted by the War Department, it never occurred to me 
as a cause of official censure. 

In order that the reader may understand my real crime, he 
will please recall Mr. Stanton's threat of the 1st of June. The 
despatch was sent about the 5th of July. I heard nothing from 
it until the President mentioned it about the 13th of August; 
and, as will be seen in my conversation with him, when he re- 
ferred to the despatch, he told me that he did not suppose that 
it was for that I was discharged, but for some other charges 
made by Gen. Banks, of which he had not been informed. But 
Mr. Stanton, in his conversation with Mr. Sumner of Aug. 13, 
distinctly said it was for the despatch ; adding, not for the mili- 
tary censure or criticism, but because a staff-officer had no right 



24 



to use a cipher in the transmission of his despatches. He dares 
not say that I used the public cipher, and that therein I 
violated a trust ; for every staff-officer in the Adjutant-General's 
department of the army would refute him. Moreover, the 
President said, as will be seen, — 

" You are the same man that sent a despatch to a Boston 
editor, telling him I was scared, M'Clellan was to be captured, 
and we were all going to ruin. You put it into some kind of a 
cipher you made up ; but we've got some very cute fellows in 
the telegraph-office, and one of them worked it out, and sent 
it up to me to read." 

Observe that there is not a single point in all this upon which 
to found a charge of violation of trust, and that, if, contrary to 
the President, and according to Mr. Stanton, it is for this de- 
spatch I am discharged, that the punishment has been inflicted, 
not for what I really did write, but for what a "very cute 
fellow in the telegraph-office " chose to represent me as writing ; 
and that I have been strictly denied the opportunity to examine 
the rendering, to see if it is correct. And it will be seen here- 
after, that, according to Mr. Stanton's statement to Mr. Sumner, 
the sin of the telegram was not its contents, but the use of a 
cipher unknown to the War Department. 

This despatch was in the hands of the department from 
July 5 ; but they gave me no notice : not a whisper was 
breathed, which could warn me of the danger I was in. 

I remained with Gen. Banks, apparently in full possession of 
his confidence, until I was relieved, on the 1 1th of July, by the 
arrival of my successor, Major Pelouze ; when, by General 
Order, No. 5, I was ordered to report to Gen. Hunter. 

GENERAL ORDER, No. 5. 

Headquarters Army of Virginia, Second Corps, 
Near Warrenton, Va., July 17, 1862. 

Major Louis H. Pelouze, aide-de-camp, having reported for duty, will 
relieve Major R. M. Copeland, assistant adjutant-general of volunteers, in 
the duties pertaining to the adjutant-general's department at these head- 
quarters. 



25 

Major Copeland, on being relieved, will, in conformity with Special Order, 
No. 150, from War Department, A.G.O., dated July 2, 1862, repair to the 
headquarters, Department of the South, and report for duty to Major-Gen. 
Hunter. 

By command of Major-Gen. N. P. Banks. 

D. D. Perkins, Major, and Chief of Staff. 

SPECIAL ORDER, No. 150 (Extract). 

War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, 
Washington, July 2, 1862. 
3. Major R. M. Copeland, Assistant Adjutant-General United-States 
Volunteers, will repair to the headquarters. Department of the South, and 
report to Major-Gen. Hunter for duty. 

By order of the Secretary of War. 

L. Thomas, Adjutant- General . 

On arrival in Washington, I obtained the following leave of 

absence : — 

SPECIAL ORDER, No. 165. 

War Department, Adjutant- General's Office, 
Washington, July 18, 1862. 

3. Leave of absence for fifteen days is granted Major R. M. Copeland, 
A.A.G. By order of the Secretary of War. 

L. Thomas, Adjutant- General. 
Official. 
E. D. TowNSEND, Assistant Adjutant- General. 

I went at once to Boston to remain during my furlough, and, 
whilst there, applied to Gov. Andrew for the command of one of 
the new Massachusetts regiments, accompanying the application 
with copies of the foregoing letters of recommendation, and, in 
addition, the following from Gen. Banks ; which, it will be ob- 
served, is dated July 17, 1862 : — 

Headquarters 2d Corps de Armee, near Warrenton, Va., 
July 17, 1862. 
To His Excellency Gov. Andrew, Boston. 

Permit me to commend to your favorable consideration Major Copeland, 
as an officer well qualified to raise and command one of the new regiments of 
volunteers. 

He is an officer of energy and capacity ; and, without doubt, would 
so organize and discipline any force placed under his charge as to reflect 

4 



26 



honor upon the State, and render efficient service to the cause of the 
country, 

I commend his application to your favorable consideration, and remain, 
With much respect, your obedient servant, 

N. P. Banks, M.G.C. 

To my application, Gov. Andrew replied, through his secre- 
tary, Lieut.-Col. Brown, date July 23, that there was then no 
vacancy, but that he would consider me the first opportunity ; 
and that he entertained a high opinion of my energy, ability, 
and military capacity. 

With this answer I was contented, and devoted myself to 
recruiting my strength preparatory to going to the unhealthy 
climate of the Department of the South. 

In the Appendix will be found several letters of introduction 
and recommendation written for me by the officers of Gen. 
Banks's staff, with whom I had served for a year, and which 
serve to show the estimation in which I was held by those 
who had the best opportunity to judge of my character, ability, 
and actions. 

It will be seen that the President said that I was discharged 
upon Gen. Banks's accusation ; and also, as it will appear, I 
was referred to Gen. Banks by the Secretary of War. Gen. 
Banks has denied making any charges ; -and certainly no one, 
who saw his demeanor towards me during the last three weeks of 
our official connection, will say that he exhibited any doubt or 
distrust of me. 

To the last moment, I continued in the full and uninterrupted 
exercise of the duties and privileges of my position ; and Gen. 
Banks's treatment was even more markedly confidential than 
before. He very frequently visited me in my private tent; 
remaining for a long time in confidential conversation on our 
army, the war, the men who manage it, the condition and 
prospects of the country, our future relations and hopes. The 
peculiarly friendly and confidential manner with which he 
treated me was commonly observed by my associates, and not 
infrequently commented upon ; and it was this kind of intimacy 



27 



which bound me to Gen. Banks, and enabled me to composedly 
endure many things which otherwise would have been unen- 
durable. 

Yet the President, and Secretary of War, have both said that 
Gen. Banks made the charges against me ; and have referred me 
to him as the source of explanation, if not for redress. I will 
now submit the following letter from Capt. F. d'Hauteville, 
aide-de-camp to Gen. Banks : — 

Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, 
New Orleans, Jan. 29, 1863. 
To Major R. Morris Copeland. 

Dear Copeland, — I have just been able to speak for the first time to 
the general in regard to your own affairs. He entirely disclaims ever hav- 
ing written or spoken to the Secretary of War, or to any one connected 
with the Department, any thing hostile to yourself. He received a telegram 
from the War Department after you had left, demanding an immediate 
explanation of a telegram which you had sent. The general replied, that he 
did not know what was referred to ; but that, if a copy of the telegram were 
sent to him, he thought he might be able to give a satisfactory explanation. 
A copy of the telegram was afterwards sent; and the general merely replied, 
that he knew nothing about it. I fully believe that you wrongfully suspect 
him of having been in any way instrumental in your dismissal. 

Very truly yours, F. d'Hauteville. 

As my furlough drew near its end, I went to New York to 
prepare for my departure. A steamer was to leave for Port 
Poyal the morning of my arrival, too late for me to take pas- 
sage in her ; and I was thus fortunately compelled to wait a little 
more than a week. Had I sailed on the 3d, I should have 
received the blow intended to crush me in a new and strange 
position, amongst men who knew nothing of me, and where its 
severity would have been greatly intensified. 

On the morning of the 10th of August (the day the steamer 
was to have sailed), I saw in the morning edition of the " Tri- 
bune " the following copy of — 

GENERAL ORDER, No. 96. 

War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, 
Washington, Aug. 6, 1862. 

11. Major R. Morris Copeland, assistant adjutant-general, United-States 
Vols., having violated an important trust committed to him while serving on 



28 



the staff of the general commanding the Department of the Shenandoah, is, 
by direction of the President, dismissed the service of the United States, to 
take effect Aug. 1, 1862. 

By order of the Secretary of War. 

E. D. TowNSEND, Assistant Adjutant- General. 

A thunderbolt from a cloudless sky could not have been more 
startling. I could not realize that it was intended for me ; and, 
in wonder and dismay, read and reread the fatal words. That 
I might have committed indiscretions in my term of service, 
was possible ; but that I had been guilty of any crime, was, I 
knew, untrue. My military experience offered me no parallel 
for this outrage. I was struck to the earth, disgraced as deeply 
as an officer could be, with an undefined charge of which I had 
never heard or received the slightest premonition ; having 
done my duty to the utmost, been an active participant in one 
severe battle and five skirmishes, recommended by every officer 
worth considering, whom I knew, for promotion ; and yet with- 
without trial, examination, or even notice, I was ruined. 

I could not believe the evidence of my own eyes, and felt 
assured that some mistake had occurred, which would be cor- 
rected as soon as I could get to Washington, and see the charges 
which had been preferred against me. To be provided against 
any emergency, I procured letters of introduction from gentlemen 
in New York to prominent persons in Washington, and left the 
same night for the latter city. As soon as possible after arrival, 
I visited Mr. Welles, Secretary of the Navy, presented a letter 
of introduction, and briefly told him my story. He appointed 
eleven, a.m., for me to visit him, when he would introduce me 
to the President. 

As soon as the War Department opened, I went to the Adju- 
tant-General's office to seek there (which seemed to me the 
proper source of information) a statement of the charges upon 
which I had been dismissed. I saw Lieut.-Col. E. D. Townsend, 
and asked him to give me an official copy of the order, and to 
permit me to see the charges. He gave me the order, but said 
he could not permit me to see the charges without direct per- 



29 



mission of the Secretary of "War ; who, he had no doubt, would 
consent. 

I hastened to the secretary's office, and, Mr. Stanton being 
engaged, asked the desired permission of an under-secretary. 
He at first said, " Certainly, you may see them ; " and then 
withdrew his consent, in order to consult Mr. Stanton. 

In a few moments he returned from Mr. Stanton's office, and, 
in a very curt manner, told me that I could not see the charges ; 
that Mr. Stanton said, if I wished to ascertain the charges, I 
must apply to Gen. Banks, who made them. I represented to 
the secretary that this was a very harsh and unjust treatment ; 
that I had nothing to do with Gen. Banks ; I had been con- 
demned, unheard by the War Department ; the charges upon 
which their action was based were on file there ; and certainly, 
if I had been deservedly punished in accordance with the evi- 
dence on file, there could be no greater absurdity than to refer 
me elsewhere. But I could get no change of answer, and was 
compelled to leave unsatisfied. Up to this moment, I had no 
idea of what charges could have been made against me, and 
could recall nothing that hinted of the situation in which I found 
myself. The only sinister remark of Gen. Banks, which I could 
remember, might have been perfectly innocent as he made it. 

On the 16th July, Gen. Banks was sitting in my tent, talking 
of general matters, when I asked him, *' To what duty do you 
think I shall be assigned with Gen. Hunter ? " He hesitated a 
moment, and then said, " You will know soon enough." 

Unsuccessful at the War Department, I hastened to keep my 
appointment with Mr. Welles. I did not doubt that the Presi- 
dent of the United States would listen to the wrongs of a citizen 
and soldier, and would at least permit me to know why I was 
discharged. Accordingly, I went to the office of the Secretary 
of the Navy, as he had appointed, at eleven, a.m. Mr. Welles 
accompanied me to the President's office, and introduced me, 
saying, " Mr. Lincoln, I wish to introduce to you Major Cope- 
land, an officer who seems to have sufiered a great injustice : he 
is a friend to our best friends, who especially request of you to 



30 



give him a hearing and justice ; and he deserves, for their sake, 
to receive proper attention." Secretary Welles then left the 
room. 

As composedly as possible, I read to Mr. Lincoln the official 
order of my discharge, and then said, " I have come to you, sir, 
as President of the United States, and Commander of the Army, 
to ask for simple justice as a citizen and soldier. I entered the 
first of the three-years' regiments, the Second Mass. Volunteers, 
and served as its quarter-master. I have been several times 
promoted ; have been seven times engaged with the enemy ; have 
been twice honorably mentioned ; and have now, in my pocket, 
letters recommending me in the strongest manner for the com- 
mand of a cavahy regiment, from two major-generals, three 
brigadier-generals, four colonels, and several citizens. No com- 
plaint, that I know of, has been made against me ; and yet I am 
dismissed the service, with no more ceremony than one would 
kick out a dead dog. "Will you allow this, sir ? will you allow 
the reputation I have made, my own and my children's prop- 
erty, to be destroyed in the dark ? Will you not consider my 
friends ? " 

The President replied, " Well, sir, I know something about 
your case, and I'll tell you what I know. You're that man who 
went to Boston about the time Jackson broke through at Front 
Royal, and wrote letters and editorials abusing the Administra- 
tion, and made speeches, and did all that you could to make a 
fuss." 

I replied, " Sir, how have you become possessed of this erro- 
neous idea? I never did any thing of the kind." 

" Well, I know all about it : I've been informed by good 
authority about you." 

" Will you permit me, sir, to explain the truth ? " 

"Yes." 

" I came to Washington on the 20th of May, and, whilst here, 
was directed by Gen. Banks to apply to the Secretary of War 
for re-enforcements, as he was liable to be destroyed without 
them. I saw the secretary, and explained the urgency of the 



31 



case ; and told him, that, to the best of my belief. Banks, if not 
re-enforced within three days, would be cut off. He sneered at 
me, saying all generals were calling for troops, and that, during 
the day, three had telegraphed to him that Jackson was in front 
of them. I still urged the matter ; and at last he consented to 
send troops. I hastened to Boston, and, arriving on Saturday, 
heard on Saturday night that Kenly had been cut off at Front 
Royal, and knew, that, if such were the case. Banks must be in 
a critical condition. Monday morning brought the news of his 
disaster, and the secretary's call for troops. I went at once to 
Gov. Andrew, and asked him for the latest news. He gave it ; 
asked me my opinion of the condition of affairs ; and then asked 
me to write a letter, which would arouse the people of Massa- 
chusetts to enlist, by presenting the truth of the matter. Excited 
by apprehension of what had probably befallen our army, and 
the regiment in which I had several dearly loved friends, I sat 
down and wrote an appeal to the people of Massachusetts, and 
gave it to Gov. Andrew, who sent it, with a note, to the evening 
papers for publication. When I saw it in print, I for the fii'st 
time realized the interpretation which might be put upon it 
by the Government ; but it was then too late. Following the 
letter, several editorials were written in Boston papers, severely 
attacking Mr. Stanton's war policy, which I have been told were 
sent to Mr. Stanton, as written at my instigation, but with which 
I had no connection, 1 having been, at that time, a warm defender 
of Mr. Stanton." I farther told him, that the editor of the offen- 
sive paper, who chanced to be my brother-in-law, would make 
affidavit to the fact ; and that I had always been warmly attached 
to the radical party, whilst the aforesaid editor was one of the 
strongest conservatives. 

The President said, in reply, " Well, I did not know you 
were dismissed. I never saw the order, that I know of, until to- 
day ; though, of course, it has been laid before me, and received 
my official sanction ; and I don't know what the charges are. 
But I do know that you sent a most improper and malicious tele- 
gram, in cipher, to a Boston editor, which no officer had a right 



32 



to do, saying I was scared, M'Clellan was to be captured, and 
we were all going to ruin. You thought you were very sharp, 
and put it into some kind of a cipher you made up : but we've 
got some very cute fellows in the telegraph- office, and one of 
them worked it out, and sent it to me to read ; and I could see 
plainly enough that you belonged to that class of men who are 
trying to make all the mischief for the Government that they 
can. Fact is, I believe you want to help run this Government ; 
and, because you don't get as much notice as you thinlc you 
deserve, you are trying to make trouble." 

" Sir," said I, " will you permit me to explain the telegram ? " 
(which now for the fii'st time came into my memory as a cause 
of complaint against me.) " When the news came to us in camp 
that M'Clellan had suffered his reverses before Richmond, we 
thought we saw how terrible a trial was before the country, and 
did not believe that the countiy realized it ; and it seemed to me, 
if I could awaken my conservative friends in Boston to the immi- 
nent danger, and the necessity of radical measures, that the 
Government would be grateful, rather than angry ; and I put 
the despatch into a cipher of my own, to blind the operators at 
either end. It was a cipher devised by me, and unknown to 
Mr. Dunbar : but I trusted to his acuteness to study it out ; and 
said, as near as I can recollect, ' Banks returned ; President 
alarmed, and uncertain what to do ; M'Clellan liable to cap- 
ture ; urge putting strong man at head of war-affairs, and 
sending forward troops rapidly from West.' This may have 
been indiscreet and unmilitary ; but certainly the punishment 
is disproportioned to the offence." 

" I do not say," said Mr. Lincoln, " that you are discharged 
for that, because I do not think you are ; but I do say, that you 
had no business to send it." 

He then turned to some papers. I did not like to leave 
the matter thus, and again appealed to him to let me see 
the charges, as there might be some mistake which I could 
explain. Mr. Lincoln turned to me with an air of impatience, 
and said, — 



33 



" Gen. Stone and his friends have been trying for the last six 
months to get at his charges, and he can't, and I don't believe 
you will succeed much better. The fact is, I am inclined to 
believe that you are a mischief-making fellow, and good for but 
little as an officer, and capable of doing a great deal of harm ; 
and therefore, the sooner you are out of the service, the better." 

I asked the President to look at the letters of recommendation 
I had from several generals, and other officers, which may be 
found in the Appendix ; but he refused to do so. I asked him, 
as a final question, " If, then, nothing could be done ? " 

" Nothing," he replied ; " at any rate, at present." 

I immediately returned to Boston, and sought an interview 
with Gov. Andrew, to whom I told the story of the outrage 
under which I sufiered. I appealed to him, as the Governor of 
the State, to see that a citizen of the State did not receive such 
treatment unquestioned. 

He told me that he was powerless to help me, for that the 
officers of the army were entirely under the control of the 
general Government ; and that his demands were but little 
considered at Washington, as the secretaries knew that he would 
do his duty at any rate, and therefore did not seek to conciliate 
him. He advised me to return to Washington, to see the Hon. 
Charles Sumner, and ask him for his aid. He wrote a letter to 
him, introducing me, stating his previous knowledge of me, and 
his utter disbelief that I should have been guilty of any viola- 
tion of trust, but that it was possible, from over-zeal, I might 
have been indiscreet ; and closed by urging him to do his utmost 
to see that the secretary became fully possessed of the facts in 
the case. 

With this letter, and others, I returned to Washington ; 
getting there Sunday noon. Mr. Sumner was out. I therefore 
left the letters for him, and called on him Monday morning at 
nine. I found him with some other gentlemen. I mentioned 
my name, and referred to the letters I had left. Without per- 
mitting me to enter into any statement of my affairs, so that I 
could possess him of the facts, and thus enable him to defend 

5 



34 



me to the secretary, he said he had no time to listen to me then. 
" But," said I, " will you let me explain to you, that you m.ay 
understand the merits of the case ? " — "I am sorry ; but I have 
no time." — " But, Mr. Sumner," said I, " let me briefly relate 
the principal facts." — " Sir," he replied, " I do not believe it is 
of any use. The Government is excessively prejudiced against 
you. The letter you wrote, and the editorials which followed, 
were utterly improper." I replied, " The editorials were none 
of mine, and any participation of mine in them is denied upon 
oath by their author ; and, moreover, I was at that time a 
Stanton man, and more ready to defend than attack him." — 
" It's no use, sir, to delay me now. I saw all the publications, 
and took them myself to Mr. Stanton, calling his attention to 
them. The conduct of the ' Advertiser ' to this Administration 
has been outrageous ; yes, sir, treasonable ; and it ought to have 
been suppressed." — " But, sir, I am not responsible for that 
paper ; and, as is well known, my sentiments and theirs are 
almost entirely opposite." — " That may be all true, sir ; but it is 
very unfortunate. You must see me this afternoon." 

I wrote out a brief statement of my case, appending statement 
of Mr. Dunbar, which will be found in Appendix A, deny- 
ing my having assisted his editorial eff'orts, and some other 
papers, and sent them to Mr. Sumner. I met him again in the 
afternoon at Willard's, and asked him to tell me if he had 
learned any thing. He stopped very reluctantly, and said, " I 
grieve, sir, to tell you what the secretary said. I saw him 
twice, and asked him about your affair ; but, I am grieved to say, 
he would not listen to mo." — " Did you tell him of my inno- 
cence of newspaper criticism ? " — " No, sir : I did not consume 
his time. I asked him if the matter was closed. He said it 
was ; and if re-opened, he should treat you worse than he had ; 
that you had sent a telegram in cipher, which was enough to 
dismiss you from the service." — " Did you make any explana- 
tion of the telegram, the reasons for it, &c., as I had given them 
to you ? " — " No, sir : I did not. I and the secretaiy have 
both too much to do to use time in explaining things which are 



35 



hopeless. The secretary does not object to your having criti- 
cised the action of the Government ; but that a staff-officer 
should send the editor of a newspaper a telegram in cipher, is 
utterly inexcusable." — " Then, sir, you, a Massachusetts sena- 
tor, refuse to insist upon a Massachusetts man getting the same 
justice you claim for a negro or a horse-thief? " — " Well, I can 
only say that I am very sorry for you ; but it is useless. The 
secretary is very decided, and will listen to nothing." I 
returned to Boston, and told my misadventures again to the 
Governor, who said he would see Mr. Sumner upon his return, 
and try to do something. I here append Gov. Andrew's letter 
to Mr. Sumner, which plainly shows Gov. Andrew as desiring 
to have a fair inquiry into the facts : — 

Commonwealth ok Massachusetts, 
Executive Department, Boston, Aug. 16, 1862. 
Hon. Charles Sumner, Washington, D.C., U.S.S. 

My dear Senator, — Major E.. Morris Copeland, who has been long serv- 
ing on the staff of Major-Gen. Banks, having originally gone out as Quarter, 
master of our Second Massachusetts Regiment, appeals to me for aid in 
reaching a hearing, or at least an accusation ; having been declared dis- 
missed the service for an alleged violation of trust. 

Mr. Copeland, son of Hon. B. F. Copeland of Roxbury, and always a 
resident of our community, a member of the religious society where I, too, 
belong, has always, since I remember him, borne a blameless reputation. 

He is ardent, earnest, and impulsive ; but, though more likely than cooler 
and more calculating men to make mistakes, I believe him incapable of inten- 
tional violation of any trust ; and while I fully appreciate the importance of 
prompt, decisive measures with officers thus offending, I cannot help feeling 
a sting in my own heart, when a young man of his reputation is smitten by a 
blow which may ruin him, if friends do not stand by, simply because the 
allegation is so indefinite as to be open to the most terrible constructions. 

I am sure that the Secretary of War will never permit an injustice to any 
man He is one of the men in power in whose instincts, as well as judgment, we 
can rely ; and, if I were in Washington, I would see him personally, confident 
that, if he looked into the matter, I should be satisfied with his conclusions. 

Now, I pray you to call upon Mr. Stanton, introduce Major Copeland as 
one of our constituents to whom we are bound by official duties, and gain for 
him an opportunity to state his case ; and I beg you to report to me by 
letter. 

I am ever faithfully yours, &c., 

John A. Andrew. 



36 



After Mr. Sumner's return, the Governor brought my case to 
his notice ; and, after consulting with him, re-applied to the War 
Department in my behalf. On the 28th of August, I received 
the following letter from his Military Secretary : — 

K. M. CoPELAND, Esq. Boston, Aug. 28, 1862. 

Dear Sir, — Day before yesterday, the Governor telegraphed to the War 
Department on the subject of your appointment to be a field-officer of a 
Massachusetts volunteer regiment; the existing orders prohibiting the muster 
of any appointees who have left the service, unless by special permission from 
the department. 

The reply received from the Secretary of War was, that, if the Governor 
should appoint you, it would be regarded by the Administration as a gravely 
improper act, and that orders would immediately be given for your redis- 
missal, and that such an appointment would be in violation of the standing 
regulations of the army. 

The Governor has talked with Senator Sumner and with others concern- 
ing your affairs, and with a sincere desire to aid you if he can ; and after his 
conversation with those gentlemen, and from all the information he can 
gather, he thinks you ought to understand that the 07ily thing which is 
impossible to get over with the War Department is your telegram to the 
"Advertiser" in cipher. 

The fact that you did once send a cipher despatch to it causes the infer- 
ence, that you had previously sent other despatches in the same manner, or 
had sent letters, which co-operated in inducing the attacks made by the 
" Advertiser " so often during this year upon the Administration ; and it 
seems impossible to efface this belief from the minds of those who have con- 
trol of your relations with the army. 

In view of the explicit statements made, from the War Department, of the 
effect which your appointment would have, the Governor does not feel that 
he would be justified in making it, only to be immediately rejected, as the 
Secretary of War states that it would be. Such a rejection might injure 
the Massachusetts service more than it would be justifiable for the Governor 
to provoke. 

In view of these facts, he suggests to you that the officers of the militia 
regiments to be raised here, are, under the Constitution of the State, elec- 
tive ; and that, if you should be elected as an officer in any one of them, the 
question, whether he should issue a commission in conformity with the elec- 
tion, would present a different case from that now existing with regard to 
the expediency of a volunteer appointment. 

Yours very truly, 

A. G. Brown, Military Secretary. 



37 



This letter showed me that the Governor was truly desirous of 
doing all in his power to aid me ; but I feared that adopting the 
expedient proposed might only involve others in my disasters. 

The Secretary of War had given his word to hunt me down ; 
and although, as a Massachusetts officer, I should not be under 
his control until I should leave the State, I should then be sub- 
ject to him, and he could discharge me, which would perhaps 
cause trouble in the regiment. I therefore decided to take no 
steps in the matter, but rather submit to the personal sorrow. 

On the 16th of September, in reply to an inquiry, I received 
further assurance of the Governor's good-will. 

R. Morris Copeland, Esq. Boston, Sept. 16, 1862. 

Dear Sir, — The Governor directs me to say, that he would be glad to 
assist you to military occupation, if he should have the ability and oppor- 
tunity. 

If you will indicate any assistance that he can render to you, specifying it 
definitely, he will have pleasure in affording it. 

Yours very truly, 

A. G. Brown, Jr., Military Secretary. 

Let me again call the reader's attention to the determined 
private hostility exercised against me by the Administration. 

1st, After all the negations and equivocations at Washington, 
the Governor is decidedly told, that my only real offence is the 
telegram. If it were so, if the secretary had not been pre- 
viously determined, as we have seen, to overthrow me, he would, 
even if reluctantly, have permitted me first to ascertain if the 
offensive despatch had been correctly translated, and not destroy 
me on a possible blunder of an ignorant person. 

2d, If my supposed complicity with Mr. Dunbar and the 
" Advertiser " had induced the belief that I had combined with 
Mr. Dunbar in a secret manner thus to send by cipher valuable 
and forbidden information, I should have been permitted to pro- 
duce Mr. Dunbar's statement, which directly stated that I had 
never sent him unauthorized information of any kind, either 
by telegram or letter; and that he was, and still is, utterly 
ignorant of the cipher in which the despatch was enclosed. 



38 



3d, To return to the order by which I am discharged. There 
is an important error in it, which serves to refute all later state- 
ments of the cause of my discharge, and to cover Mr. Stanton's 
entire statements with a garment of duplicity. I am discharged 
for violating an important trust whilst serving on the staff of 
the commander of the Department of the Shenandoah. 

That department had been abolished, and incorporated in the 
Department of Virginia, under command of Major-Gen. Pope, 
two weeks before I sent the telegram. 

My friends determined to make yet another effort in my 
favor. During the winter of 1862 and 1863, when the subject 
of organizing a negro force was being favorably considered at 
Washington, Gov. Andrew and others renewed their applica- 
tions at Washington, that I should be restored to the service, 
that I might aid in raising and disciplining the colored troops. 
Application was made direct to the President by the Hon. 
Charles Sumner, who says as follows, in a letter which I shall 
have other occasion to quote : — 

" Some time ago, I presented it (case of Major Copeland) to him on the 
application of Gov. Andrew, and so far interested him, that, for a while, I 
thought the case would be at least reconsidered ; but a private note from 
him, which I forwarded to Gov. Andrew, showed that he felt himself bound 
to leave it as it was." 

There seemed now but two methods which might give me 
redress, both of which were unsuccessfully tried. The two fol- 
lowing petitions were prepared, and sent to Washington : — 

To Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States. 

The undersigned, friends and fellow-citizens of E,. Morris Copeland, late 
Major of United-States Volunteers, respectfully represent, — 

That he was one of the first officers in the earliest raised three-years' 
regiments in Massachusetts ; that his reputation as a gentleman, and man of 
honor, has always been stainless ; that, in the field, he soon won so high a 
reputation for gallantry and efficiency, that he was quickly promoted to the 
rank of major, and thrice recommended by his superior officers for the com- 
mand of a regiment ; that his public and private character was without 
spot, until, in August last, he was summarily dismissed the service " for 
breach of an important trust." 



39 



Summary dismissal without trial, and without knowledge of charges 
having been preferred against him, upon a charge so utterly inconsistent 
with his whole life, his widely known devotion to the war, and his zealous 
patriotism, is a sentence too severe to remain unexplained in his case. 

As one of the earliest and most active of our citizens, and one whose 
efforts have been unremitted in his country's service from the very beginning 
of the war, his unexplained dismissal injuriously affects the public interests 
here, and weakens the supporters of the Government. 

He may have been indiscreet or injudicious ; but his fellow-citizens know 
him too well to believe him guilty of dishonorable conduct, until he is 
proved so. 

Believing, therefore, that the order of Aug. 6, 1862, dismissing him 
from the service, was based upon some misconception of his character or 
conduct, and confident, also, that the public interests in this quarter, as well 
as private justice to him, alike demand it, we respectfully pray that his 
sentence may be revoked ; and that, at the earliest possible day, R. Morris 
Copeland may be tried by a court-martial. 

R. Waldo Emerson. Jared Sparks. 

J. M. Forbes. J. R. Lowell. 

Jas. Savage. Henry W. Longfellow. 

William B. Rogers. Josiah Quinct, Jun. 

Thomas Hill. William I. Bowditch. 

Jas. Walker. Henry Lee, Jun. 

Jas. Freeman Clarke. Charles Hale. 

Amos Tuck. Henry I. Bowditch. 

Ezra Lincoln. G. S. Hillard. 

J. G. Goodrich. Saml. G. Howe. 

Ls. Agassiz. 

To the Hon. Charles Sumxeu, Senator from Massachusetts. 

Deak Sir, — We beg you to present and strongly urge the enclosed 
petition, asking a trial by court-martial for E,. Morris Copeland, late Major 
of United-States Volunteers. 

Major Copeland has been indiscreet ; but no one who knows him can 
believe him dishonest. His whole past history, both civil and military, has 
always marked him as a brave and loyal officer and honorable gentleman. 

Conspicuous for his whole-hearted devotion to the prosecution of the war 
and the most vigorous measures of the Administration, he is, by this unex- 
plained act of the President, branded for life with an infamous crime, with- 
out a chance to defend or explain his conduct. Such severe punishment for 
an over-zealous and injudicious act, done under circumstances of intense 
public excitement, seems harshness to a man of his well-known probity 
and active loyalty, and gives weight to his prayer for the investigation of a 
court-martial. 



40 



Nor is this all, nor the most important aspect of his case. When a man, 
so widely known and regarded as he is, is thus summarily dealt with, it 
re-acts most unfavorably upon the public welfare. It weakens the Govern- 
ment, not merely among the public generally, but among its own friends and 
supporters, when one of its warmest and strongest is thus treated, without 
explanation, or power of reply. 

If Major Copeland is guilty of the crime as charged, a fair trial will sus- 
tain the previous decision ; if he is innocent, it will strengthen the faith of 
the public in the justice of the administration which grants it. In either 
case, a fair trial by court-martial is expedient as an act of public policy, and 
simply just to an individual who is now widely considered as one of the 
earliest and most devoted champions of Freedom, — the victim of an arbitrary 
and hastily considered act. 

We therefore respectfully request your aid in this matter, upon the double 
ground of private justice and public policy. 

E.. Waldo Emerson. Jared Sparks. 

J. M. Forbes. J. R. Lowell. 

Jas. Savage. Henry W. Longfellow. 

William B. Rogers. Josiah Quincy, Jun. 

Thomas Hill. William I. Bowditch. 

Jas. Walker. Henry Lee, Jun. 

Jas. Freeman Clarke. Charles Hale. 

Amos Tuck. Henry I. Bowditch. 

Ezra Lincoln. G. S. Hillard. 

J. G. Goodrich. Saml. G. Howe. 

Ls. Agassiz. 

On the 2d of April, 1863, the following letter, in reply to 

these petitions, was addressed to Mr. C. F. Dunbar by Hon. 

Charles Sumner : — 

COPY OF LETTER FROM HON. CHARLES SUMNER. 
To C. F. Dunbar, Esq. . April 1, 1863. 

Dear Sir, — I have again presented Major Copeland's case to the Presi- 
dent, and have read to him the papers which you have forwarded to me, 
signed by many most estimable names. 

Some time ago, I presented it to him, on the application of Gov. Andrew, 
and so far interested him, that, for a while, I thought the case would be at 
least reconsidered ; but a private note from him, which I forwarded to Gov. 
Andrew, showed that he thought himself bound to leave it as it was. If you 
will read that note, you will see that it is as positive as brief. At least three 
times I have presented the case to the Secretary of War ; and, each time, I 
found his judgment fixed. 

On one of these occasions, he spoke with astonishment that Gov. Andrew 
could seek to occupy his attention with a case which was irreversibly decided, 



41 



and, as he insisted, on the only principles consistent with the welfare of the 
army. 

I found the President to-day perfectly ready to hear what I had to say ; 
but he repeated, what I think you will find in the note forwarded to Gov. 
Andrew, tliat the case could not he opened without personal offence to Mr. 
Stanton, who had judged the case under the act of Congress by which the 
Government was empowered to dismiss officers without court-martial. 

The President remarked, that with an army like ours, now numbering 
near seven hundred thousand men, the number of persons guilty of offences 
was so great, that, if they could all claim a court-martial, "the country 
would be used up in court-martials ; " that the case of Major Copeland was 
not peculiar in this respect ; that, only to-day, a chaplain, suddenly dropped, 
had appeared to him for a court-martial ; and that, with a precedent in the 
case of Major Copeland's case, such a court-martial must be granted the chap- 
lain and to many others ; that it was the object of the statute to supersede 
the necessity of courts in such cases, and thus to promote the discipline of the 
army, and to save time ; and that, in such a case, the Secretary of War was 
a competent judge. 

The President did not encourage me to leave the papers ; and I now have 
them subject to your order. 

From the beginning, / have been personally satisfied that Major Copeland 
had fallen into a military indiscretion, which loas not, in any just sense, " a 
breach of trust ; " and I have expressed this conviction to the President and 
Secretary. 

I do not disguise, therefore, my disappointment at the result which I now 
report. I wish it were better. 

Faithfully yours, 

Charles Sumner. 

During the time that this petition was in preparation, I tried 
the last hope for redress. A commission had been appointed in 
Washington, of which Brig.-Gen. Ricketts was president, whose 
duty, as publicly announced, was to examine the cases of such 
officers as had been dismissed without a hearing, who desired to 
come before the commission. 

After making suitable inquiries, I applied to the War Depart- 
ment, through the office of the adjutant-general, for permission 
to appear before the Board ; and, as I had been directed by the 
Hon. William Whiting, sent my communication to Major Vin- 
cent, A.A.G. 

After waiting about four weeks without answer, I wrote him 
again, and, at the same time, to Brig.-Gen. Ricketts, through 

6 



42 



Gen. Crawford, a member of the commission. Major Vincent 
did not reply. Gen. Crawford answered as follows : — 

Headquarters Investigating Commission, 
Washington, March 23, 1863. 
R. Morris Copeland, late Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Dear Sir, — Your communication to Brig.-Gen. Ricketts has been sub- 
mitted to the Military Commission. 

No cognizance can be taken of any case not submitted by the War De- 
partment. We simply act upon those duly authorized. 

Application is made to the adjutant-general by the officer desiring an 
investigation ; and I know of no instance where this has been refused. 

The Board will examine without delay into the merits of your case, if 
directed so to do by the authority of the War Department. 

Your communication to Major Vincent will, no doubt, meet with prompt 
attention. 

Very respectfully your obedient servant, 

J. N. Crawford, 
Brigadier- General Military Commission. 

Contrary to Gen. Crawford's opinion. Major Vincent never 
has taken the slightest notice of either letter. After waiting a 
suitable time, I addressed Major Eobert Williams, A.A.G., War 
Department, Washington, preferring my request through him 
to the War Department ; but no answer has been vouchsafed 
me. 

Having thus exhausted every resource, I am now, more than 
a year after my discharge, compelled, as the only hope for my 
reputation, to appeal to the verdict of those who may read this 
account. 

The logical conclusion from all the evidence I can collect is, 
that I was dismissed because I clothed my thoughts in a lan- 
guage unfamiliar to the War Department ; for the President 
told me that he did not think I could have been dismissed for 
the telegram, but on charges unknown to him, preferred by Gen. 
Banks. Gen. Banks has denied ever presenting any charges. 
Gov. Andrew has been informed that the telegram is the only 
serious charge against me ; whilst Mr. Stanton has told Mr. 
Sumner that the criticism on the Administration was not objec- 



43 



tionable, but it was inexcusable that a staflf- officer should use a 
cipher to convey his thoughts ; leaving the inference that it was 
the public cipher which I had violated. The President distinctly- 
said it was a cipher of my own invention ; which Avill be at once 
obvious, if the despatch is examined. 

The only conclusion is, then, as I have stated, that using an 
unknown tongue is my crime. This is preposterous, and car- 
ries us back to the only tenable ground, that the real offence is 
my letter of May 26, for which Mr. Stanton told Major Perkins 
and Gen. Banks he would give me cause to remember him all 
my life ; and as that letter unwittingly drew down upon him the 
offensive criticism of the press, who saw in his meddling the 
source of all our military misfortunes, he seized the opportunity 
to punish me, an eye-witness of the facts, whose evidence it 
might be well to discredit in advance, particularly as he could 
not reach the press to inflict his vengeance on them. 

I have no written proof of the statements of either Gen. 
Banks or Major Perkins, as I did not deem it necessary at that 
time to ask for it ; and, now that it would be liable to be pub- 
licly used, neither would give it. But the strong and the 
logical conclusion from the confused statements of my military 
superiors is the best proof of the truth of those officers' state- 
ments. 

If I am really and avowedly discharged for my letter of May, 
I am contented. I am sure that whoever reads it will see in it 
evidence of my deep earnestness in our country's cause, and 
will be very unwilling to blame me for it, or think it cause for 
punishment. If I am discharged for the telegram, I can only 
ask my countrymen, if, in their judgment, that simple statement 
of facts obviously true to every person at the time it was written, 
and which indicated the immediately succeeding policy of the 
Government, was cause for my punishment ? It may have been 
uncalled for, injudicious, or even a violation of military etiquette ; 
but it was, at the worst, only a blunder, involving no one's hap- 
piness or success, or the country's welfare, and far from warrant- 
ing a charge of a violation of a trust. This careful record of 



44 



all the facts and evidence known to me fails to show anywhere 
any breach of trust, or violation of confidence ; and, as I read 
the story over, it seems incredible, and I pause to ask myself. 
Can this be true ? Can such an outrage be permitted in these 
United States ? Can a man be destroyed on suspicion, without 
even being told why he is thus summarily dealt with ? 

I will not attempt to speculate farther, or assign possible 
reasons to account for this strange story, but will leave it where 
it is, confident that, if the veil were withdrawn, it would appear 
that I have no cause to blush for any acts of my military career ; 
and I will close by solemnly stating, in the presence of God 
and these witnesses, that I know that I have never done aught 
as a soldier which should subject me even to the suspicion of 
having violated any trust reposed in me. And all I ask, and 
will ever pray for, is an open trial, where I may confront my 
accusers. 

R. MORRIS COPELAND. 



APPENDIX. 



Daily Advertiser Office, Boston, Aug. 16, 1862. 
R. Morris Copeland, Esq. 

Dear Sir, — Understanding that an impression may have been conveyed 
to your disadvantage, that you have at times given me information upon mili- 
tary movements obtained by you while with the army in an official capacity, 
to be used by me as an editor, and that you have otherwise influenced what 
may have been said in this paper respecting the conduct of the war, I desire 
to offer to you the following statement, to be used by you in whatever 
manner you may find for your advantage : — 

I declare, upon my honor, that I have never received from you by letter, 
or by telegraphic despatch, or by any other means of communication, any 
information respecting army movements, beyond that incidentally given in 
letters written in good faith upon other subjects, except in the cases men- 
tioned below. I have received from you numerous despatches by telegraph ; 
but they, in all cases, related solely to your private business. I received 
occasional letters from you while you were in the army ; but they were in all 
cases upon purely personal matters, except one or two written in the summer of 
1861, while you were Quarter-master of the Second Massachusetts Regiment, 
which were printed by me ; and one, enclosing a letter from Gen. Shields, as to 
the battle of Winchester. With these exceptions, your letters never, so far as 
I can recollect, conveyed any fact or hint respecting military affairs, which has 
been used by me, directly or indirectly, or by any one else, with my knowledge, 
in the columns of any newspaper. Nothing either written or influenced or 
advised by you, with the above exceptions, has appeared in this paper, or in 
any other, with my knowledge, since your appointment to the staff of Major- 
Gen. Banks, except the letter from Gen. Shields noted above, and the address 
written by you in Boston on the 26th of May last, which was published 
in other Boston papers before its appearance in this, and was written, as I 



46 



understood, at the request of Gov. Andrew ; and as for the editorial article, 
reflecting upon the Secretary of War, -which appeared, together with your 
address, in our issue of May 27, and which attracted some attention at the 
time, it was written by me, without your knowledge, and was based upon 
information not obtained either directly or indirectly from you, except such 
as may have been contained in your address above referred to, which had 
appeared in the evening papers before the article was written. Nor have 
I ever had any knowledge of the cipher you used to cover your despatch, 
which I have never yet seen. 

I must add, that, from the time of your staff" appointment, I have inferred 
that you felt the necessity of avoiding all suspicion of imparting military 
information to me, for my use as an editor, — the more so, as our relations 
to each other might easily seem to give color to such an impression ; and I 
have accordingly, for my own part, been careful from the first to avoid solicit- 
ing you for such information, or in any way obtaining it from or through 
you. The result has been a much less frequent communication between us 
than was to be expected from our intimate friendship and near connection. 

Very truly yours, Chas. F. Dunbar. 

Headquarters, Department of the Shenandoah, 
April 10, 1863. 
To his Excellency Gov. Holbrook, Montpelier, Vt. 

Sir, — The sad termination of Col. J. P. Holliday's connection with First 
Vermont Cavalry leaves that fine regiment without a colonel. Composed of 
the best material, and raised in my adopted State, I feel a great interest in 
it, and regret exceedingly that untoward circumstances have reduced its effi- 
ciency as a regiment. 

I believe, should I be so fortunate as to be appointed its colonel, I could 
make the First Vermont Cavalry a satisfaction to yourself, a credit to the 
State, and a valuable acquisition to the army. 

Hoping that the letters submitted to you, with this application of my own, 
may prove satisfactory, and may secure for me a position I should feel highly 
honored to fill, I remain 

Yours very respectfully, 

R. Morris Copeland, Asst. Adjt.-Oen. and Major Vols. 

To His Excellency Gov. Holbrook, of Vermont. 

Sir, — The undersigned, field, staff", and line officers of the First Regiment 
Vermont Cavalry, whilst we deeply deplore the loss of our late colonel, J. P. 
Holliday, beg leave to recommend to you, for the vacant commission. Major 
R. Morris Copeland, from Boston, Mass., a resident of Castleton, Vt., now 
assistant adjutant-general on the staff" of Gen. N. P. Banks. 



47 



We have reason to believe that the experience he has acquired in this 
region and service, since the commencenient of the war, eminently fit him to 
promote the efBciency of the regiment, and make it worthy of the State of 

Vermont. 

John D. Baetlett, Major. 
S. G. Perkins, Capt. Co. H. 
Wm. Wells, Capt. Co. C. 
Addison W. Pkeston, Capt. Co. D. 

E. B. Sawyer, Capt. Co. I. 

F. MooKE, Capt. Co. K. 

H. C. Flint, First Lieut. Co. I. 
JosiAH Grant, Jun., Second Lieut. Co. I. 
George S. Gale, Surgeon. 
J. H. Woodward, Ctiaplain. 

Headquarters, Fifth Corps d'Armee, 
Woodstock, Va., April 9, 1862. 

Governor, — I have just learned that the name of Major R. Morris 
Copeland has been mentioned, and is to be brought to your notice, in con- 
nection with the colonelcy of the First Regiment Vermont Cavalry, now 
vacant. It gives me very great pleasure to bear testimony to Major Cope- 
land's ability and efficiency as an officer, of which I have had ample opportu- 
nities to judge ; his position on the staff of Gen. Banks having placed me for 
months in almost hourly official contact with him. 

Should he be appointed, you may be assured that he will bring to the 
command an energy both mental and physical, and a judgment natural and 
schooled in the necessities of the service, for the wants of almost every branch 
of which it has been his duty to foresee and provide. 

I have no hesitation in earnestly urging his appointment; confidently 
expressing the belief, that, if designated for the command, he will reflect 
credit upon your own judgment in the selection, and honor upon the noble 
State that commissioned the regiment for the field. 
I have the honor to be, very respectfully. 
Your obedient servant, 

T. F. Brodhead, 
Colonel, and Chief of Cavalry, 5th Corps, Army of Potomac. 
To his Excellency the Governor of Vermont. 

Headquarters 1st Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac, 
Camp near Woodstock, Va., April 9, 1862. 
To his Excellency the Governor of the State of Vermont. 

Sir, — Understanding that the friends of Major R. Morris Copeland, 
Assistant Adjutant-General of this army-corps, are about to make an appli- 
cation to your Excellency for his appointment to the colonelcy of the First 
Vermont Cavalry (made vacant by the recent death of Col. HoUiday), I take 
the liberty to state, that I consider Major Copeland exceedingly well qualified 
for a cavalry commander. 



•48 



He has all the energy, industry, zeal, and spirit that such a corps especially 
needs in a commanding officer. 

His appointment would be gratifying to his fellow-officers, and, I think, a 
great benefit to the regiment. 

I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, 

A. S. Williams, 
Brigadier- General Commanding Division. 

Headquakteks FiKST Division, Fifth Corps, 
Near Edinburgh, Va., April 9, 1862. 

We the undersigned, members of the staflF of the First Division, Fifth 
Army Corps, do most cordially concur in the within recommendation. 

Thos. Antisell, Brigade Surgeon and Medical Director. 
"Wm. D. Wilkins, Captain, and Assistant Adjutant- General. 
Edgar C. Beeman, Captain, and A.C.S. 
Saml. E. Pittman, Lieutenant, and A.D. C. 
Henry M. Whittlesey, Captain, and A. Q.M. 

Strasburg, Va., April 9, 1862. 
His Excellency Frederick Holbrook, Governor of Vermont, Burlington, Vt. 

I beg leave to earnestly recommend Major R. Morris Copeland, Assistant 
Adjutant-General of this corps d'armee, for the place made vacant by the 
untimely death of Col. Holliday. The First Vermont Cavalry has fine mate- 
rial, but needs a man of discretion, energy, and activity to fit them for the 
field. 

Major Copeland has these qualifications; and, besides, he is intimately 
acquainted with this command and its wants, and, in my opinion, will do 
much to make that fine but neglected regiment a benefit to the service, and 
an honor to the State. 

I have the honor to be your obedient servant, 

Jas. Shields, Brigadier- Oeiieral. 

Headquarters, Department Shenandoah, 
Woodstock, Va., April 9, 1862. 
To his Excellency Gov. noLBROOK, Vermont. 

Sir, — It is not my province, I know quite well, to interfere with your 
Excellency's appointments to office ; but I cannot conscientiously refuse to 
state, in the way of commendation, the qualities of my associates in arms, 
when called upon to do so. 

Major R. Morris Copeland, my Assistant Adjutant-General, is solicited by 
some of the officers of the First Vermont Cavalry, now without a commander 
by the sad death of Col. HolUday, to allow his name to be presented to you 
for that commission. 

Permit me to say that Major Copeland is a most energetic and valuable 
officer ; and that, in command of this cavalry, he will, in my opinion, reader 
the regiment, and the State it represents, important services. 



49 



He has many rare qualities for the position ; and I commend the applica- 
tion in his favor to your favorable consideration. 

In character and qualifications, I think I may say he is in every respect 
fitted for this important position. 

Very respectfully, I am your Excellency's most obedient servant, 

N. P. Banks, M.O. Commanding. 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Department, 
Boston, April 10, 1862. 
To his Excellency Gov. Holbrook, Vermont. 

Sir, — I beg to say that Major R. MoitIs Copeland, now Assistant Adju- 
tant-General, serving on the staff of Major-Gen. Banks, has been in the 
volunteer service from a very early day in the war ; that he went from Bos- 
ton as Quartermaster of our Second Massachusetts Regiment, maintained 
an eminent rank as such officer, and has always been spoken of throughout 
our whole body of Massachusetts officers as of the highest merit. 

His character at home, his education, and the testimonials he has from 
his military superiors, all give him claim to the respect and confidence of 
us all. 

I learn that he is a candidate for a cavalry colonelcy in a Vermont regi- 
ment ; and, while I should not deem it decorous in myself to recommend the 
governor of another State to select a citizen of Massachusetts for an appoint- 
ment, I am led to the liberty of this testimony, lest its absence^might 
possibly and untruly imply some want of cordial respect on my part for 
Major Copeland. 

I am, with great respect, yours faithfully, 

John A. Andrew. 



B. 

Baltimore, June 12, 1862. 
My dear Major, — I received your telegram, and this evening your 
favor of June 9, in reference to the colonelcy of the First Maryland Cavalry. 
I had a conversation with Gov. Bradford of my State upon this subject ; and 
he informed me that he had finally determined to tender the appointment to 
an officer of the army (regular), a Marylander, now in front of Rich- 
mond. . . . 

Entertaining a high opinion of your courage and military capacity, it will 
always give me pleasure to serve you. . . . 

I am very truly yours, 

John R. Kenly, 
Col. Ist Md. Vols., now Brig.-Qen. Commanding. 
7 



50 



Ou the 26th of June, the cavahy command being still unsettled, 
I was recommended by officers of rank to re-apply. Col. C. H. 
Tompkins, United-States Army, commanding First Vermont Cavalry, 
telegraphed as follows : — 

MiDDLETOWN, Va., Juuc 26, 1862. 
Hon. Henry Goldsborough, President State Senate, Frederick, Md. 

Will you do me the favor to call on Gen. Shriver, and see him relative to 
the appointment of Major R. M. Copeland to First Maryland Cavalry as its 
colonel ? He is a highly accomplished officer, and perfectly competent. 

Yours, 

C. H. Tompkins, U. S. Army. 

MiDDLETOWN, Va., Junc 26, 1862. 
Gen. Edward Shriver, Frederick, Md. 

You will oblige me and secure a valuable officer by supporting Major 
Copeland. The regiment needs an energetic officer ; and I consider Major 
Copeland most particularly fitted for a cavalry command. Letter by maiL 

Yours, 

C. H. Tompkins, U. S. Army. 

Headquarters Cavalry, Department Shenandoah, 
June 26, 1862. 
To his Excellency the Governor of Maryland. 

Sir, — Understanding that it is not your intention to re-appoint Col. 
Miller to the First Maryland Cavalry, I take great pleasure in recommending 
to that important position Major E.. Morris Copeland, U.S.A., an active, 
energetic, and accomplished officer, who would, I am satisfied, do credit to 
the position, if appointed. 

Very respectfully your obedient servant, 

Jno. p. Hatch, 
Brigadier- General Commanding Cavalry. 

Headquarters, Middletown, Va., June 26, 1862. 
To his Excellency Gov. Bradford. 

I cordially concur in Gen. Hatch's recommendation, and beg that the 
missing recommendations of Gens. Banks, Williams, and Shields, may be 
considered as present in support of Major Copeland's merits. 

James Cooper, 
JBrigadier- General Commanding. 



51 



LETTERS FROM OFFICERS SERVING WITH ME ON THE 
STAFF OF GEN. BANKS. 

Camp of Second Corps, Army of Virginia, 
Near Warrenton, Va., July 17, 1862. 
Brjg.-Gen. Rufus Saxton, U. S. Volunteers. 

My dear Sir, — This will be handed you by a friend of mine, Major R. 
M. Copeland, Assistant Adjutant-General, formerly belonging to this corps, 
but now transferred to the army of Gen. Hunter. 

Any favor you may find it in your power to show him, I shall consider as 
personal to myself. 

After once knowing him, you will desire to continue the acquaintance, for 
his fine qualities both as a gentleman and an officer. His heart is earnestly 
in our great cause ; and you can rely upon him for sympathy and assistance 
in any thing which forwards its interests. 

With best wishes for your success, I remain, as ever, truly your friend, 

S. B. HOLOBIRD, 

Col. U.S.A., and A.Q.M. to 2d Army Corps. 

My dear Saxton, — I heartily concur in the foregoing note of Holo- 
bird's. 

D. D. Perkins, U.S.A., Major, and Chief of Staff to 

Major- Oen. Banks, Second Corps, Army of Virginia. 

Washington, July 18, 1862. 
General, — This will be handed to you by my friend Major R. M. Cope- 
land, Assistant Adjutant-General, with whom I have been intimately associated 
on the staff of Major-Gen. Banks for nearly twelve months. His heart is 
fully in this work in which we are engaged. He is thoroughly in earnest, 
full of power and energy. For such a man and officer, I need not ask, even 
out of any consideration for myself, your kind consideration: he will 
merit it. 

I am very respectfully and truly yours, 

E. G. Beckwith, 

Colonel U.S.A., and A.C.S. 
To Major-Gen. Hunter. 

I am aware that these testimonials, in the presence of a positive 
charge, are only of a negative value, and are entirely outvpeighed by 
any direct evidence of my unvforthiness ; but when it is understood, 
that, to this day, no such positive charge has been made, they are of 
value as showing the probability of my having deserved the censure 
which I have received. 



52 



Headquarters, Banks's Army Corps, 
Near Middletown, July 4, 1862. 

Dear Saxton, — Major Copeland, the present Assistant Adjutant- 
General of Gen. Banks, may hand you this letter. He -will come in an official 
capacity, and wUl bring to his work capacity and earnestness. 

You will be able to give him aid and comfort ; and I shall be glad if you 
find it consistent with your position and duties to promote Major Copeland's 
wishes. . . . 

Your friend, with great respect and regard, 

Wilder Dwight, 
Major Second Mass. Volunteers. 
To Brig.-Gen. R. Saxton, U.S.V., Port Royal, S.C. 



STATEMENT 



R. MORRIS COPELAND, 



^S0t. ^tjjutant=(5eneral ant Jttajor of Foluuteeis, 



DISCHARGED FROM SERVICE 
August 6, 1862. 



BOSTON: 
PRINTED BY PRENTISS AND DELANI), 

40, Congress Street. 

1864. 







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